Many businesses will see how much they pay each month (or hourly) for security services, and assume that’s all they are getting – just another employee in a uniform. However, that hourly rate covers so much more, and learning about the specifics of what is included in that hourly rate may help explain why professional security services cost as much as they do.
What Is Really Included in That Hourly Rate?
You’re not simply paying for your security officers’ time when you hire professional security. You are paying for their training, their liability insurance, their equipment and the overall support structure for the security officer.
As you may know, a professionally certified security officer has had to complete many weeks of training before receiving their certifications. This training teaches the security officer the skills necessary to de-escalate conflicts, create emergency responses, write reports, and understand their legal responsibilities. In Australia, security guards require a valid license to work as a security guard and this requires a criminal record check and completion of mandatory training. It takes a great deal of money to train a security guard and therefore the cost is added to the services you receive from your security company.
Insurance is another important factor that affects the hourly rate for your security services. Professional security companies purchase extensive liability insurance to protect themselves and their clients against possible errors or injuries sustained by the security guard or third party during the performance of their duties. If a security guard is injured on your property, or if a security guard sustains an injury while responding to an incident at your facility, the liability insurance will protect both parties. Therefore, you share the cost of this insurance when you hire a security company to provide services for you.
Cheap Security Services May Not Be Worth the Savings
There are many businesses today that want to reduce costs by choosing the cheapest option available for security services. Unfortunately, when you choose the least expensive option for security services, you often receive the worst possible service. Budget security services may include security guards with little or no training, high turnover of personnel, or security companies that cut corners on equipment and other support.
However, when something actually happens (such as a break in, a medical emergency, or an aggressive customer), you quickly realize the significant difference between budget security services and professional security services.
Professional security companies invest heavily in the development of their employees. They provide their security officers with ongoing training, provide their security officers with the right equipment, and provide a strong support network to their security officers. Many businesses today seek out professional security guards adelaide, that provide quality and consistency, rather than simply trying to fill the number of positions available in the field.
While the difference in cost between budget security services and professional security services may be $5-10 per hour, the difference in value is significantly greater.
Mobile Patrols vs Static Guards
Another reason that your costs will vary depending on what type of coverage you require is whether you are using a static guard or a mobile patrol. A static guard is assigned to your location for an 8-hour shift, whereas a mobile patrol will visit several locations during their shift, including yours. While a static guard provides a constant presence and is able to respond immediately to any situation that may arise, a mobile patrol will visit your location regularly, however, the cost of a mobile patrol is generally lower than that of a static guard.
However, the two types of coverage have very different purposes. Whether you use a static guard or a mobile patrol will depend on your specific needs and requirements.
Expensive Mistakes of Not Having Enough Security
Not having enough security when you need it is one of the most costly mistakes that you can make. A single break in can result in the theft of thousands of dollars in equipment, damage to your property, and loss of business while you recover from the incident. Your insurance premiums will increase, and you will likely lose a significant amount of inventory and equipment due to the break in. And these costs do not take into account the stress and time that you will spend dealing with the aftermath of the break in.
Unfortunately, many business owners find this out the hard way. They decide to forego professional security services in order to save money, only to find themselves in a position where they are faced with a serious crime against their business and the costs associated with it exceed the total annual cost of professional security services.
Higher Costs During Night Shifts and Weekends
Typically, the higher costs for security services are paid for nighttime and weekend shifts. As with most industries, security professionals expect to earn higher wages for working nights and weekends. The same applies to the cost of hiring security professionals.
If you require 24 hour coverage, you will pay a premium price for your security services during those hours. However, for many businesses, it is during those hours when they are the most vulnerable to crime. Unoccupied properties are attractive to thieves, and having a security presence during those hours often deters the crimes that could ultimately cost you thousands of dollars.
Additional Costs of Equipment and Technology
Modern security services are no longer limited to a person patrolling with a flashlight. Today, many security services incorporate various technologies to enhance security effectiveness and accountability. These technologies include body cameras, incident reporting applications, GPS tracking for mobile patrols, and communication systems. These new technologies add additional costs to the service, but they also add value to your security experience by providing better documentation, faster response times, and more clarity regarding what is occurring during security shifts.
Is Professional Security Worth the Cost?
Whether or not professional security is worth the cost depends entirely upon the nature of your business and the level of risk that you perceive.
For example, a retail store with expensive merchandise and large volumes of foot traffic has a different set of risks compared to a small office building. Similarly, a construction site with expensive equipment left on the job site for long periods of time during the day, has a higher level of risk compared to a medical facility that operates primarily during regular business hours.
In addition to the financial implications of losing assets and experiencing losses, the decision to utilize professional security services involves considerations related to peace of mind, liability protection, and ensuring the safety and security of your employees and customers.
Ultimately, the choice to hire professional security services is a risk management decision. Once you consider what you are really paying for, professional security services start to look less like an expense and more like a form of risk management.
Many businesses that have hired professional security services feel that they were well worth the investment. On the other hand, many businesses that have not invested in professional security services and have experienced serious security incidents, wished they had invested in professional security services earlier.
